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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of what does the house remind Ben?

2. What time does the painted clock at Treblinka station always read?

3. How does Ben react to the sight of the harbor at Idhra?

4. What does Ben study carefully that is a bit disorienting?

5. Approximately how many volts are in a bolt of lightning?

Short Essay Questions

1. What theme does Ben incorporate into his thesis?

2. Describe Ben's futile search for Jakob's journals.

3. Describe Jakob's visions of prisoners going to the gas chamber.

4. What does Jakob think about as far as the Nazis' effort to dehumanize the Jews?

5. How does Jakob "win" Naomi's heart?

6. How does Ben compare Petra's skin and lightning imprints?

7. What does Ben recall about his father and mother when Ben is growing up?

8. How does being in Jakob's house affect Ben?

9. What impact does being in Idhra have on Jakob?

10. Who visits Ben before he is five and what is the result?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Anne Michaels.

2. What in Michaels' background may have helped her in writing "Fugitive Pieces"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Athos tells about ancient Biskupin culture and his work to preserve the ruins. After the war, he learns that the Nazis had destroyed the excavations and killed Athos's colleagues shortly after he spirited Jakob to safety. It is the basis for Athos's belief that Jakob is responsible for saving him, more so than vice versa. Jakob meditates on how prisoners are forced to dig up the mass graves of early victims of Nazism as the perpetrators seek to cover up evidence. He pictures workers forced, like the stone carriers of Golleschau, to do the unthinkable: handle the gory remains of the dead.

1. Why do you think it is significant that the Nazis destroyed archeological ruins or historical sites? Discuss in depth the implications and what you believe may or may not have been lost in such destruction. Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

2. Discuss what you think might be the reasons Athos believes Jakob saved his life. Do you agree? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

3. Discuss the mental and emotional tolls that must have been taken on the workers forced to do the handling of so many murdered Jews. Use examples from your own life and "Fugitive Pieces" to support your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Fugitive Pieces" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1 and judge if it is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Fugitive Pieces" a successful novel? What about young teens?

(see the answer keys)

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